Rose Gentle ‘overwhelmed’ by honorary degree in recognition of her Iraq war campaigning

IRAQ war campaigner Rose Gentle donned robes yesterday as she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Glasgow University.

The 53-year-old, who set up Military Families Against the War and Justice 4 Gordon Gentle after the loss of her son, was recognised for her campaigning work.

Gordon, 19, was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Basra in 2004. Ms Gentle pressed the UK Government for answers, describing last year’s publication of the long-delayed Chilcot report into the conflict as “comeuppance” for ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair.

When plans for the award emerged earlier this year, she said her son would be “laughing his head off” at the idea of her attending university. Accompanied by family members yesterday, the honorary Doctor of Science said: “I was honoured to get it, quite overwhelmed. It has been a really lovely day.”